Jakarta - PT Pertamina Hulu Indonesia (PHI) consistently applies the principles of Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) through mangrove conservation programs in the Company's operational areas in Kalimantan. PHI Senior Manager Relations, Farah Dewi explained that PHI and its subsidiaries continue to strive to carry out Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs in the environmental sector, where one of them is mangrove conservation activities, which is in line with efforts to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), that is points 13, 14 and 15 related to climate change, underwater life and life on land, and point six related to sanitation and provision of clean water.

"Mangrove conservation is a real step for us with all stakeholders in the upstream oil and gas industry to continue to carry out safe and environmentally friendly oil and gas operations, and reduce carbon emissions, while protecting our mangrove forests. We strive to encourage the positive impact of oil and gas operations on the environment and society. This is in line with the company's commitment to carry out environmentally sound operations," explained Dewi.

A quarter of the world's mangrove ecosystem is in Indonesia. The total area is 3.5 million hectares. This makes mangroves an ecosystem that has an important role in life. The various benefits of mangroves include protecting coastal areas from sea level rise, storm surges, tsunamis, and erosion. Moreover, it is also a breeding and spawning ground for various marine and terrestrial species. Mangroves can sequester carbon emissions in the air, protect coastlines from abrasion, and host coastal biota; Mangroves can also provide economic potential to fishermen and communities living in coastal areas (source: ykan.or.id).

Not only environmental benefits, the preservation of mangrove forests by PHI and its subsidiaries and affiliates, can also provide economic and even social benefits. Various environmental-based activities have been carried out by PHI subsidiaries, including by PT Pertamina Hulu Mahakam (PHM) which initiated efforts to conserve the Mahakam Delta mangrove ecosystem in the Blue Carbon Initiative, a program to plant 1 million mangrove trees on an area of 100 hectares in 2022. This is a commitment to implement ESG and SDG programs and plays a role in supporting the government to be carbon emission-free by 2060.

Other initiatives related to social and economic improvement by Pertamina Hulu Mahakam are in the form of environmental conservation activities of the Mahakam Delta through community empowerment and mangrove ecosystem preservation. These activities are carried out through the utilization and processing of non-timber mangrove forest products, the production and marketing of non-timber mangrove forest products, the improvement and preservation of the Mahakam Delta mangrove ecosystem, and food security and women's empowerment.

On World Mangrove Day 2022, PT Pertamina EP (PEP) Bunyu Field held a Mangrove Conservation Expo by planting 1,000 fire mangrove seedlings with a total area of 8200 square meters (16/7/22). This activity is a further step in the greening program carried out at PEP Bunyu Field. Senior Manager of Bunyu Field, Andry explained that this activity is a reminder to the company and all stakeholders that greening is a shared responsibility and it is important to leave a good legacy for future generations.

Mangroves act as a green belt to protect the coastline dаrі abrasion. Mangrove ecosystems are useful for dampening energy dаrі lunge at ocean current waves. moreover, mangroves can absorb CO2 in the air, capture deposits, and clean the chemical content in the water around Bunyu island. Conservation is also expected to be able to increase the interest of residents to play an active role in developing mangrove areas.

In addition to environmental benefits, economic and social benefits are also the focus of another PHI subsidiary, that is PT Pertamina Hulu Kalimantan Timur (PHKT) to conserve mangrove ecosystems. In 2021, PHKT planted 10,000 mangrove trees at Kersik Beach, Kutai Kertanegara. Moreover, Kersik Beach is also projected to be a destination for ecotourism and mangrove education. PHKT also conducts training for UMKM to process mangrove fruit into various types of food and beverage products that can provide economic value to the surrounding community.

This program was held with the Women's Business Group of Bina Bersama Kampung Baru Village, Penajam Paser Utara (PPU) chaired by Siti Rukiyah. Rukiyah has pioneered mangrove conservation efforts since 2002. Realizing the importance of mangroves in the ecosystem and the environment, he set aside time on weekends to plant mangrove trees with his family. Proper mangrove processing by KUW Wanita Bina Bersama produces mangrove flour and food products and syrups that are ready to consume. Products are distributed to potential buyers through various activities and social media.

Meanwhile, in 2020, PT Pertamina EP Sangatta Field carried out mangrove cultivation activities with village community groups assisted by the Alam Lestari Farmer Group of Airport and Sangkima Village. PEP Sangatta Field initiated the creation of seedbed buildings for mangrove cultivation activities and seedbeds of 25,000 mangrove seedlings.

Previously, in 2019, PT Pertamina Hulu Sanga Sanga (PHSS), which is a subsidiary of PHI, carried out the Jaga Pesisir Kita program by planting 2,500 mangrove seedlings at Pangempang Beach, Sambera. In collaboration with Pokmaswas Bina Lestari (Muara Badak) Karang Taruna Tanjung Limau, this activity reached as many as 414 beneficiaries. In 2022, PHSS also held mangrove planting education in collaboration with the Muara Badak Fire Department. This activity involved 30 students of PAUD Kancil (Muara Badak) with the planting of 150 mangrove seedlings.

PT Pertamina Hulu Indonesia (PHI) is part of Pertamina's Upstream Subholding which manages upstream oil and gas operations and businesses by following the principles of Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) in Region 3 Kalimantan. To achieve its vision to become a world-class oil and gas company, PHI carries out various innovations and technology applications in realizing #EnergiKalimantanUntukIndonesia. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates, PHI runs innovative Corporate Social Responsibility programs in the fields of Economy, Education, Health, Environment, Infrastructure, and Disaster Response to support sustainable community empowerment and the achievement of Sustainability Development Goals (SDG). PHI is headquartered in Jakarta. More information about PHI is available at https://phi.pertamina.com.